URGENCY OF MAKING INDIA REALLY INDEPENDENT

India will be celebrating its 66th anniversary of independence almost two months from now with all fanfare and lots of rituals. Crores of public money will be spent as always. But, the nagging questions related to real independence of the largest democratic country of the world are yet to be answered by political masters, planners, policymakers.... and the questions are about three most basic needs of every Indian : Food, Clothing & Shelter. If a few other basic necessities of life are also added such as Health, Education & Employment, it would be fair enough to analyse the outcome of the 66 year long journey of Independent Democratic Sovereign India. All kinds of statistics/data on these basic needs of people of India is readily available for each one to know, ponder and ask the following questions once again :

Is every Indian getting even two meals a day to eat?

Is every Indian clothed like a normal human being?

Is every Indian family residing in pucca house?

Is every Indian getting minimum health facility?

Is every Indian getting even primary education worth the name?

Is every Indian gainfully employed even 180 days in a year?

The answer to all these basic questions is in negative. Notwithstanding, the ruling class- be it political leaders, planners, policymakers /lawmakers and bureaucrats, would argue that the country has achieved a lot on these counts during last 66 years, but they will find it very difficult to justify the adequacy and urgency of fulfilling these basic needs of people for reasons best known to majority of Indian population.Our former President and renowned scientist, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam writes in his famous book, 'Ignited Minds' - we have all the resources we need, whether it be people, talent, natural bounty or other assets. India is truly blessed with real, though latent, abundance. Scarcity is not the cause of our problems. Our problems originate in our approach towards them. We are spreading our resources too wide and too thin.With our resources and the money we spend, we could easily accomplish three times what we do, in half the time we normally take, if we were to operate in mission mode with a vision for the nation. The vision generates the best in every field."
Every one would agree, by any yardstick, 66 years is a very very long period for a country full of natural resources and human assets to have real cheers and happiness for celebrating the Independence day in an inclusive manner.

Isn't it an opportune time to seriously think on these issues and do the needful in a much faster pace within the frame work of our great constitution to make India Independent in real sense of the term. Post comments to share your views/experiences on the subject.